Revision as of 12:27, 2 July 2018

Megalithic culture

Pallavaram: sarcophagi

Yogesh Kabirdoss, ASI finds 2,300-year-old sarcophagus in Tamil Nadu, June 28, 2018: The Times of India

The near-intact clay coffin, excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in December 2017 establishes the existence of a megalithic culture in Pallavaram.
From: Yogesh Kabirdoss, ASI finds 2,300-year-old sarcophagus in Tamil Nadu, June 28, 2018: The Times of India

The 2,300-year-old sarcophagus
From: Yogesh Kabirdoss, ASI finds 2,300-year-old sarcophagus in Tamil Nadu, June 28, 2018: The Times of India

The near-intact clay coffin establishes the existence of a megalithic culture in Pallavaram.
From: Yogesh Kabirdoss, ASI finds 2,300-year-old sarcophagus in Tamil Nadu, June 28, 2018: The Times of India

Nearly 140 years after British archaeologist Alexander Rea unearthed a sarcophagus from the hillocks of Pallavaram in Tamil Nadu, an identical artefact dating back by more than 2,000 years has been discovered in the same locality.

The near-intact clay coffin, excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in December last year establishes the existence of a megalithic culture in Pallavaram.

Superintendent archaeologist of ASI Chennai circle A M V Subramanyam told TOI that the age of the sarcophagus could be about 2,300 years. “The discovery has brought to light that the area was inhabited by people who were not nomads. They had a technology to create a sarcophagus standing on 12 legs during the 3rd century BC,” he said. ASI will perform a thermoluminescence dating to determine the exact age of the piece, he added.

The discovery was made by a team of ASI officials following directions of the Madras HC to excavate the site in the wake a litigation regarding the plight of residents in Zamin Pallavaram.

Archaeologists took a trial excavation on the foothills of the Parivettumalai hillock at Zamin Pallavaram where they chanced upon the rim of the sarcophagus at a depth of two feet under the surface. Further exploration led to the discovery of the terracotta coffin. Though the artefact was covered with redware lid, it was damaged by boulders which might have rolled down the hillock due to soil erosion. The piece is 5.6ft long and 1.5ft wide; it has a depth of 1.64ft.

The ASI is yet to make the discovery of a 2,300-year-old terracotta sarcophagus public.

ASI sources said the coffin has three holes at the bottom besides the legs. Archaeologists say, usually such holes were used to tie ropes that would facilitate easy carriage of the coffin.

“The sarcophagi are of varying sizes depending on the height of the deceased. There are some interesting observations in this artefact, which has the shape of crescent indicating the belief among the people in those days that dead person would remain eternal as long as the existence of moon,” an ASI official said.

Incidentally, Alexander Rea, who was the second superintendent archaeologist of the ASI’s Chennai circle had unearthed a similar sarcophagus in 1888. That was six-foot long, one-foot eight inches deep and 1.5ft wide with 10 legs. Later, the artefact was moved to the Madras Government Museum in Egmore. During his excavation, several utensils such as cups, pots, bowls and iron nails were also found.

Superintendent archaeologist of ASI Chennai circle A M V Subramanyam said the sarcophagus would be displayed at the Fort Museum in Chennai. “It is a very significant discovery. We would be placing the coffin inside a glass case at the museum,” he said.

“The unearthing of the sarcophagus has highlighted the importance of protecting the site for future excavations at Pallavaram,” Subramanyam added.